Abstract

Introduction

The gold-bearing rocks of the mainland of Nova Scotia have been under examination for more than fourscore years. Their structure and the methods of occurrence of their veins and the included metal have been studied in considerable detail; but from the earliest speculation of Gesner to the latest papers, references to the age of the series have been either vague or dogmatic without the requisite evidence to substantiate the statement. In recent years authors have for the most part been satisfied with following the lead of earlier writers in calling the series Cambrian. The present paper aims to assemble whatever evidence is available bearing upon the age problem; and while the results are far from satisfactory and lack definiteness, they at least may indicate the extent of the existing uncertainty and possible lines of inquiry designed to eliminate that uncertainty.